Gruff rushed over and circled Fawn. Tears welled up in his big eyes. He nuzzled Fawn’s cheek and one last tiny current of static electricity squeezed out through his fur. It flowed from him into Fawn, wrapping around her body.

An instant later, Fawn’s eyelids fluttered open.

“Hhhhuh…Gruff?” she asked on a whisper. Gruff grunted. “Hey. That’s my big furry monster.”

Gruff roared happily.

Fawn giggled and the crowd cheered.

“Gruff.” Fawn hugged her friend.

Fawn gathered everyone together. It was time for a fresh reading of the NeverBeast parchment. Fawn had rewritten the story. “Every fairy should know the true story about the NeverBeast,” she said. “He is the brave guardian of Pixie Hollow.”

She held up a drawing of the NeverBeast. “He is our hero. And his name is…Gruff.”

A few days later, Gruff was helping the fairies rebuild the animal nursery. It was just one of the many things he had done to help fix Pixie Hollow. Everyone loved having him around. After helping with a roof, Gruff yawned, which worried Fawn.

She lowered her ear to his chest to listen to his heart.

“Looks like he needs a nap,” Iridessa said.

“A little rest’ll perk him right up,” Rosetta added, then asked, “Won’t it, Fawn?”

Gruff sat down in the dirt, too tired to keep working.

“His work is done,” Fawn explained to the others. “It’s time for him to go back into hibernation.”

Rosetta asked, “How long are we talking about? A month? A season?”

Vidia saw Fawn shake her head. “A year?”

Fawn tried not to cry when she told them, “More like a thousand years.”

“But that means—” Silvermist started.

“We’ll never see him again,” Tink finished.

Fawn didn’t say anything more to them. She flew up onto Gruff’s nose, looking him in the eyes. “It’s time.…”

The fairies led Gruff through the woods, heading for home.

It was a beautiful, magical procession; the path was lit by orbs of moonlight captured by light fairies and hung from branches like lanterns.

When they reached the inner chamber of the cave, the girls gave Gruff gifts. Tink made him a comfy bed. Rosetta gave him a pillow. Silvermist added a freshwater spring. Iridessa gave him a nightlight. Vidia provided a gentle breeze.

Nyx also had a gift. But it wasn’t something Gruff could touch or hold. She bowed in respect.

Fawn was last. “Hey, big guy. I won’t see you again. But I know you’ll always be there when we need you. I’m really gonna miss you.” At last, she pulled back to gaze into his face. “I love you, Gruff.”

He gazed back at her, also full of love. Then, slowly, his eyes started to close and Gruff drifted off to sleep with a happy smile.